3 keys and a prediction for Nebraska basketball vs. Northwestern

Nebraska basketball missed an opportunity against Maryland earlier this week. The Huskers were shorthanded and Maryland just couldn’t miss on Thursday night at the Vault.

The win would have counted as a quadrant-1 win. However, Nebraska basketball can make up for it with a win on the road against Northwestern, a team that’s 13-12 but still inside the top 65 of the NET rankings.

The Wildcats have work to do to make the Big Ten tournament. Nebraska basketball has work to do to make the NCAA tournament. It will require at least three more regular-season wins in my estimation and here are three keys, plus a prediction on the road against Northwestern.

Get to the free-throw line and convert

Nebraska made over 90 percent of its free throw attempts against Maryland. Heck, that helped keep the Huskers in the game since they didn’t shoot the ball all that well.

The Huskers average 19.7 free throws per game. Yet, what makes this an even bigger key is that Northwestern is the worst team in the Big Ten at allowing opponent free throw attempts (23.6).

Juwan Gary and Brice Williams have been spectacular in attacking the basket. Gary will have to play a huge role on both ends, but to win this game, Nebraska will need to have the edge at the charity stripe.

Hem in Nick Martinelli

Nick Martinelli has a ton on his plate. He plays more minutes and scores more points per game than any player in the Big Ten. With Jalen Leach and Brooks Barnhizer out for the season, there is plenty of pressure on Martinelli and Ty Berry.

Northwestern ranks 12th in the Big Ten in 3-point shooting percentage but they rank even lower in 2-point shooting percentage. The 3-ball is the shot Nebraska tends to concede. They can’t allow the Wildcats to get hot and a huge part of that is containing Martinelli as much as possible.

That seems like an assignment for Juwan Gary.

Gut it out

Nebraska should win this game. If the Huskers want to be an NCAA tournament team, this is a game they just have to win. Northwestern is down two starters but road wins aren’t easy in the Big Ten.

The Huskers also haven’t won at Northwestern in a decade. It’s time to exorcise those demons. But it’s going to take the gritty Nebraska team we saw win four straight after six straight losses.

This game feels like a turning point. Nebraska basketball has to find a way.

Prediction: Nebraska 68, Northwestern 62. 

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